Drivers Prepare for Snowpocalypse 2016

WAYNE, N.J., Dec. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- As Americans brace themselves for what is expected to be the strongest winter in nearly 20 years, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency, it's time to get your car, and particularly your tires, ready for an epic El Nino. In light of the upcoming season, combined with last winter's heavy snowfall, Hankook Tire asked Americans how they prepare their cars for such conditions in its latest Gauge Index.

Season appropriate tires can help make the transition to harsh winter driving conditions easier. When heading into the winter, Hankook found that most Americans are more apt to put on their winter tires further into the season with thirty-five percent (35%) saying they make the change after they first feel their car skidding in the snow. Twenty-one percent (21%) say they typically put winter tires on once the leaves start to change. However, drivers in most climates should have already made the switch to winter or all-season tires, as Hankook recommends doing so once the mornings are cold enough to see your breath.

Preparing for winter driving conditions should be top of mind as weather forecasters are expecting El Nino to cause a significant impact. Many Americans, particularly those in the snowier regions, foresee the same. According to the Gauge, fifty-nine percent (59%) of Americans living in the Northeast think it will be just as snowy, if not more so, than last winter. Those in the Midwest share the same outlook as sixty-one percent (61%) are preparing to hunker down for a long winter.

Americans in the snowier regions are learning their lesson from last winter's damage, as those who don't currently have winter tires are now in the market for them. The Gauge found that thirty-one percent (31%) of those living in the Northeast are likely to get winter tires due to last winter's snowfall. And nearly a quarter of Northeasterners say it is very likely they will invest in winter tires like the Ultra-High Performance Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 as well.

As much as the East coast looks to be prepared for the snow with winter tires, the West is expecting a wetter winter thanks to El Nino. All-season high performance tires like the Ultra-High Performance All-Season Hankook Ventus S1 Noble2 provide high traction for wet road conditions.

"Hankook Tire continues to educate drivers about tire safety, especially in unfavorable weather conditions," said Henry Kopacz, Public Relations and Social Media Manager, Hankook Tire America Corp. "The results from our latest Quarterly Gauge Index gave us helpful insight on how Americans approach winter driving. This data is a valuable tool for understanding drivers' behaviors when it comes to selecting appropriate tires for their vehicles and driving conditions."

The Hankook Tire Gauge Index is a quarterly survey of Americans that uncovers their attitudes and opinions about all things related to driving. The fall installment of the survey, conducted August 26-27, 2015, polled 1,000 randomly selected Americans on fall driving behaviors and how they prepare for winter and unfavorable driving conditions.

About Hankook Tire America Corp.

Hankook Tire America Corp. is a growing leader in the U.S. tire market, leveraging investments in technology, manufacturing and marketing to deliver high quality, reliable products that are safer for consumers and the environment.  Headquartered in Wayne, N.J., Hankook Tire markets and distributes a complete line of high performance and ultra-high performance passenger tires, light truck, SUV tires, as well as medium truck and bus tires in the United States.

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SOURCE Hankook Tire America Corp.